Rugby Club Issue 59 | Page 52

Vale of Lune FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG The Laundry Company are open daily, supplying a wide range of services for domestic and commercial customers. Our shop on Lancaster Road in Morecambe is fully equipped and modern, offering professional services throughout the area. We offer a full range of services from domestic laundry and ironing to dry cleaning and commercial contracts. SPORTS KITS ARE A SPECIALITY WE DO DO DUVETS Call: 01524 406222 164/166 Lancaster Road Morecambe LA4 5QW problem with clubs like Fylde and Preston Grasshoppers being on the doorstep. Others move away to continue their education, although to be fair a number do return when their studies have been completed. “After a tough opening four weeks to the league campaign a level of stability has been achieved, while the main objective remains to finish higher than the seventh position of last season, but a number of demanding fixtures await in the coming two months. “The links with schools, the Vale of Lune Squash Club and a venue for the John O’Gaunt’s Bowmen, one of the oldest archery clubs in the UK having been formed in 1788, make the Vale very much a community club but because of the modern facilities on offer it has become a popular venue for a wide range 52 Issue 59 of social events, wedding receptions, anniversaries, parties, with bookings up year on year. “Thanks to a hard working Social Committee in house club events like the President’s Summer Ball, Oktoberfest celebrations, Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve are over-subscribed with waiting lists now commonplace should there be any spare tickets. “Obviously the club has to maintain the momentum that has been generated both on and off the field but this can only be achieved by the hard work and commitment of an army of dedicated volunteers. “The future of the Vale looks exciting, it has a proud history, progress on the rugby front of course is important but a realistic balance has to be maintained, however, a solid base has been established for further developments to take place. One thing is pretty certain; that the club cannot afford to become complacent and rest on its laurels, everyone must continue to sing from the same hymn sheet. Overall the club is in good shape, and is very much a beating heart within the community. “One worrying blip on the horizon is the possible restructuring of the leagues down to twelve clubs. This proposal is viewed with disquiet and alarm, not just at the Vale of Lune but throughout the North. An empty clubhouse on a Saturday afternoon during the season is a soulless place, it helps no one, be it players, members, supporters and in particular those charged with balancing the books, because for many clubs its best member is its the bar.”